Fight back!

 

Pictured: Not a victim (Massad Ayoob[Massad Ayoob Group] & Julianna[A Girl and a Gun])

"Baltimore City police are investigating two assaults and robberies that happened within 24 hours of each other in Canton...

...if you are attacked, police offered the following advice. 'We never encourage anyone to fight back. It's best to comply, but while you're doing that, try to get the best description possible as you're able to do and then immediately contact 911,' Baltimore City police spokesman Jeremy Silbert said."

These are quotes from a news article here (H/T TTAG) about assault-robberies on 2 women, in just over a 24 hour span. Just a couple thoughts about this story.

First off, both of these attacks occurred on the street... in daylight... People generally assume (and rightfully so) that bad things happen at night, and in back-alley type areas. While those generalizations may be true USUALLY, it's definitely not always the case. Please be aware of what's around you no matter the situation. If a friend can drive past you in their regular car, in daylight, and waving at you as you're walking down the sidewalk and you wouldn't notice them? You're doin' it wrong.

Second, what awful, terrible advice from the Baltimore PD. I understand these aren't cases of sexual assault, but let's make an application. "'The women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms,' wrote Herman. 'By contrast, women who submitted without a struggle were more likely to be highly self critical and depressed in the aftermath.'" This is a section from this article, quoting a Dr. Judith Herman, author of Trauma and Recovery, a book centered on PTSD.

Ladies (unfortunately) are often targeted by potential criminals and in many cases have physical disadvantages compared to a male counterpart. It is more important that you level the playing field, whether by physical self-defense techniques, metal awareness and preparation, and/or arming yourself with the greatest portable equalizer, a firearm (or preferably some combination of all 3).

Regardless of whether you are a woman or not, whether it's a sexual assault or not, human beings naturally want to feel like they've done something for themselves to deal with problems. Please PREPARE yourself to not simply be a victim like the Baltimore PD would have you to be. The criminal that might some day come for you doesn't deserve that favor.

Don't forget to check out our videos on Youtube!

P.S. It is ridiculously hard to find a non-sexual picture of a smiling woman at a gun range or holding a gun by just using a search engine. Like... don't even try.

 "The women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms," wrote Herman. "By contrast, women who submitted without a struggle were more likely to be highly self critical and depressed in the aftermath." - See more at: http://www.dr-ruthless.com/articles.php?nid=8#sthash.h5HveMAI.dpuf

"The women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms," wrote Herman. "By contrast, women who submitted without a struggle were more likely to be highly self critical and depressed in the aftermath." - See more at: http://www.dr-ruthless.com/articles.php?nid=8#sthash.h5HveMAI.dpuf

"The women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms," wrote Herman. "By contrast, women who submitted without a struggle were more likely to be highly self critical and depressed in the aftermath." - See more at: http://www.dr-ruthless.com/articles.php?nid=8#sthash.h5HveMAI.dpuf

"The women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms," wrote Herman. "By contrast, women who submitted without a struggle were more likely to be highly self critical and depressed in the aftermath." - See more at: http://www.dr-ruthless.com/articles.php?nid=8#sthash.h5HveMAI.dpuf

"The women who fought to the best of their abilities were not only more likely to be successful in thwarting the rape attempt, but less likely to suffer severe distress symptoms," wrote Herman. "By contrast, women who submitted without a struggle were more likely to be highly self critical and depressed in the aftermath." - See more at: http://www.dr-ruthless.com/articles.php?nid=8#sthash.h5HveMAI.dpuf